Diane Dennise London was born to her mother, Mary London, on April 8, 1978, in Seattle, Washington. During her very early childhood years, she was loved and cared for by her extended biological family, Ada London. In 1986, she was introduced to the Marcus family by her brother, Victor. After which, she was informally adopted into the Marcus family, loved and raised by Clifton and Paula Marcus, and revered by them as one of the most sincere and endearing children they had ever known. Those close to her called her by one of many names, commonly Dennise or “D”. However, the name she came to treasure most was that given to her by her father- Zuwena Iyabo - which in its purest form means “Good Mother’s Returned”. This was fitting of who she was and who she’d become. Dennise was very nurturing and attentive to her family and friends her entire life.  

Dennise graduated from Ingraham High School in 1996 and went on to Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga. In 2001, she gave birth to her only daughter, Nevaeh Montgomery, whom she loved more than life itself. To talk about Dennise was to talk about Nevaeh. Dennise was tenacious when it came to caring and providing for her daughter. Her primary life’s work was to ensure a proper foundation for her daughter and to create a network of people who knew her daughter’s worthiness.  Dennise had faced many battles and adversities throughout her life, but none as challenging as the fight for her life in 2016 when she suffered a brain aneurysm. Her neurosurgeon stood in awe of her many days and could not wait to tell her of her miracle when she’d wake from her coma. Let him tell it, she was not expected to live after a health complication of this magnitude; let alone walk, talk, work, laugh, run, smile, and all the other things she managed to do during the years following her first aneurysm. That was Dennise - determined and head-strong balanced with a healthy dose of gratitude, generosity, and humor. Dennise refused to let the adversities undermine the path she chose in life. She was so valiant, most were unaware of her continued battle against the sequelae of the first aneurysm.    

Diane Dennise London, age 42, of Seattle, Washington passed away on the evening of April 7, 2021. She passed away suddenly just hours before her 43rd birthday, from a brain aneurysm. She was preceded in death by her mother, Paula Marcus; and brother, Anthony Marcus. She leaves to mourn her death her father, Clifton Marcus (Debra Marcus); her biological mother, Mary London; her two brothers, Victor London and Steven Marcus ; her sister, Jamila Marcus Potter (Jeffrey Potter) ; and her daughter, Nevaeh Montgomery. Diane Dennise London also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and two godchildren.  

One of her favorite learned words as a young person was reciprocity, and she practiced and taught that to many. To know Dennise was to love her. To love her was to laugh with her. To laugh with her was to experience life. To live with her was a regeneration of light in the toughest of times. Let us all lift her up in prayer as she transitions on before us.

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In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Nevaeh Montgomery's College Fund.